Civilian Committee

The squadron depends upon the committee to raise funds to support those activities not financed by public funds.

Committee members are typically representatives of the local community and might include:

A member of the local Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) Branch Committee.

Parents of cadets.

A representative of Local Education Authority, Police, Fire or other organizations concerned with youth and citizenship training.

THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SQUADRON COMMITTEE

Some of the specific ways in which a squadron committee can and indeed should help its own squadron are:

Assisting the Squadron Commander by all means within their power to increase the effectiveness of the squadron.Providing or arranging support in terms of finance facilities and negotiation with local authorities or other bodies or individuals as may be required to support these additional activities.Assisting the Squadron Commander in finding suitable adult staff to support all activities. This may cover quite a wide field because requests for specialist activities on behalf of the cadets will be dependent on the finding of a suitable adult to act as instructor.Establishing and maintaining good relationships between the squadron and all elements of the local community with the objective of obtaining maximum support.Giving assistance to the Squadron Commander in obtaining the maximum of good press, radio and television publicity.The non-public monies entrusted to the committee shall be regarded as in the joint charge of all members of the committee, the honorary treasurer being regarded as their facilitator for the receipt, custody, and disbursement of such monies. The committee shall direct the honorary treasurer regarding his duties, as they think fit.

SQUADRON COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

There is virtually no limit to the scope for additional training or activities to fulfil the aims of the Corps. Anything which contributes to the cadets' education in its broadest sense is admissible and the only limitations are those imposed by facilities, suitable instructors, insurance or finance. Any form of service to the community is not only good training for the cadets but it can also do much good for the public image of the Corps. Ideally, this form of service should be one that appeals to the cadets and captures their imagination. It could for example take the form of collecting donations for charities such as RAFA or RBL, and participating in local projects that are dependent on volunteer support should be encouraged.

The committee is always to remember that a good Squadron Commander and his staff will be fully occupied in running the squadron programme and looking after the cadets. They will have little time to arrange these extra-curricular activities, and any help offered by the committee will therefore be most welcome. Committees are accordingly not to be content with offering suggestions, but once agreed, they are also to play an active part in making the necessary arrangements. The committee is thus to take a close interest in all squadron activities and offer assistance in any way which will improve the squadron's capability to fulfil its aims in relation to the cadets.

To join the committee please submit the short form below and the Chairman will be in touch. Thank you.